Sound picture system



y 1 w. J. ALBERSHEHQI 2,003,029

SQUND PICTURE SYSTEM Filed Aug. 2:, 1954 INVENTOR By WJ. AL BERSHE/M A TTORNEV Patented May 28, I935 UNITED STA-T E S Application August 23, 1934, Serial'No. 741,031;

I v 6 Claims.

This invention relates to asprocket wheel, andmore particularly to-a Sprocket whe'elfor feeding a sound picture filmat uniform velocity throughf sound translating apparatus; i V

In the art of sound translation, difiiculty is experienced: from imperfect registration of film perforations with sprocket teeth which, under some film conditions, producenoticeable sound I pitch variations. Slight mechanical variations in sprockets and film perforation spacing appear as a result of manufacturing errors, but-the more troublesome-variations are caused by changes in the condition of the film after it has been manufactured. These film changes depend upon weather conditions, handling, or 'afIf combination of conditions which are at present beyond 'con trol. The foregoing mechanical variations introduce film velocity variations which are not a constant factor but which are predominantly of the fr'equencyof 96 cycles per' second, generally known as film flutter. Ari-example ofthis may be set forth in the case of a. shrunken film having the usual number of perforations engaged with the teeth of the sprocketwhich feedsthe film through the sound translating area. Since the perforations of a shrunkenfilm are spaced'closer together than the teeth of the sprocket, only the film edge of the leading perforation is solidly and accurately engaged with the leading sprocket tooth. When the sprocket tooth disengagesthis leading perforation, there is a slight backward shift ofthe film as thenext'perforation fits solidly over the subsequent leading sprocket tooth; Thisis continuous'at the rate of approximately 96 times per second, which variation introduces a continuous sound wave distortion. 1

The object of this invention is therefore to provide a'film feeding sprocket with sprocket teeth. arranged to yield sufficiently to register perfectlywith film perforations which are accurately or inaccurately spaced and damped sufii ciently toresist vibrations. One embodiment of the invention comprises a sprocket wheel having the sprocket teeth mounted with individual spring members, of such length as to accommodate themovement of the sprocket tooth into alignment with the'film perforation. A resistance member in-the form of .rubber' or other pliant substance may be'placedbetween the individual springs to damp the action ofthe springs at the instant of engagement or disengagement of. the sprocket tooth with the film, and to resist load variations. The edges of a plurality of filmperforations are thus simultaneously engaged accurately. with a plurality of sprocket teeth. In practice, at least three teeth are in full engagement with the film. The sprocket teeth engaged with the film' will therefore be held in the same spaced relation as the film perforations, which prevents any shifting of the film upon the disengagement of the teeth from the film perforations. The" drag of load variations, which occur'from various causes at the film tensionin'g unit of the sound translat ing apparatus, is now' resisted-by a plurality of sprocket tooth springs'solidly engaged with the film plus a plurality'of resistance members be tween the springs; The sprocket wheel of the invention therefore, a, composite wheel with individual "sprocket 'tooth members which are resilient upon successive engagement with film perforations, but which are formed by the film into substantially a solid wheel to prevent film flutter and load variations.

a In the illustrated embodiment, I v Fig. lshows the mechanism for guiding a film through sound picture apparatus;

- Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate sectional views of sprock-y ets accordingto the invention; and

7 Figs; land 5 illustrate the manner of assembling the mechanism of the sprocket.

Referring to Fig. 1 the sprocket according to the invention is shown as part of the sound unit of. a projector. It is, however,-"contemplated that i this sprocket be used in any character offsound picture apparatus. For the sake of simplicity the apparatus of the picture head,'reels, and com- PATENT. OFFI E} mon driving motor with interconnectinggears and belts for synchronously'driving the sound'picture apparatus have been omitted. The film l'isof the usual type having both picture and sound records thereons-This film is. fed from thej delivery reel to the intermediate film feeding device f of the picture head from. which it is withdrawn by sprocket 2. A loop is formed between sprocket 2 and'the-g'uide roller 3 toprevent the possible transmission of fiutterfrom the sprocket 2 to the pointof sound translation; The sound translating unitmay be of the usual type which is herein shown as-comprising lamp 4,'optical unit 5, film gate-6 and lightsensitive cell 1 which has'conduc-.

tors leadingtoan'amplifying unit. A film feed ing sprocket! a withdraws the film from the sound translating unit which'film is then guided over the guide roller H to the take up reel 12.

As hereinbefore" stated any slight mechanical I variations in the ordinary type of sprocket placed in the-position of sprocket l 5),o'r mechanical variations in the film which is fed by this sprocket, in

troduce velocity variations at the point ofsound translationwhich are predo-minately'of the frequency of 96 cycles per second. The sprocket i0 is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, land 5 with individual teeth having resilient stems arranged to fit with inaccurately spaced film perforations without introducing any irregularity of motion'tothe film.

The sprocket shown in Fig. 2 comprises a plurality of sprocket teeth 29 rigidly secured to resilient members 22-23 herein disclosed in the form of springs extending through supporting slots Z'l and 28. Pliant damping members 24 are placed between the resilient springs 22. The spring portion 23 is extended outward as a secondary damping means to restrain the movements of the springs 22. A sprocket of the same type is shown in Fig. 3 which comprises a plurality of individual I sprocket teeth 20 having resilient stems extending through slots of a supporting cylinder 32 with the inward ends of the stems positioned in grooves of a central hub 34. Extensions 33 on either side of the stem fit the inner annular surfaceof cylinder.

32 for positioning the radiant points of the sprocket teeth. The slots 36 (Fig. 4) may be arranged ment of the sprocket teeth. whenregisteringwith perforations of a film having mechanicalirregularities. I Y I r The manner of assembling and driving the sprocket is best understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 illustrates one cylindrical sprock et tooth member assembled with the cylinder 32 and another cylindrical sprocket tooth member disassembled. Fig. 5 is a section of an assembled sprocket member. The sprocket wheel shown in Fig. 4 is according to the design shown Fig. 3.

The same assembly and drivingarrangement may be used for the sprocket design as shown in Fig. 2. The resilient sprocket teeth are preferably formed in the rubber cylinder 3| which are accurately held in position during the forming of the rubber cylinder. The sprocket teeth are then assembled with the cylinder 32 by pressing the sprocket tooth stems into the slots 36 of the cylinder 32 as shown in Fig. 5. The inner ends of the sprocket teeth fit accurately into the grooves of hub 34. In the case of a design such as shown in Fig. 2 the spring member is fitted into two slots such as 36 instead of one slot. .To complete the assembly the driving key 48 is positioned on shaft-31 with key 42 in keyway 38. The splines M are fitted into the slots 36 of the cylinder 32. The driving ring 40, is tightened in place by the nut 43 and lock nut 44. With this arrangement the driving shaft 38 drives the sprocket teeth through the agency of ring 40, splines 4| and the cylinder or spline member 32 as shown in Fig. 5.

r A pliant substance between the sprocket teeth, suchas 24 and 3| is essential to] dampen the movements of the teeth for eliminating the pos-' sibility of vibrations when the teeth are associated with or dissociated from a film having mechanical irregularities. It is recognized that without such a damping medium the sprocket teeth under the control of aresilient stem might have a tendency to produce slight oscillations whichwouldbe reflected through the. film ma-- terial to the point of soundtranslation and thus produce slight sound distortions.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and describedand recited in the annexed claims, it will be, understood that substitutions and changes in the methods, forms and details illustrated and in their operation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. v

'What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a sound translating unit, a film. having sprocket tooth perforations subject to mechanical variations, a sprocket wheel for feeding said film at uniform velocity past said sound translating unit comprising a driving member, a plurality of sprocket teeth with individual resilient members, and means in said driving member'for supporting said resilient members in equally spacedrelation. I

2. In combination, a sound translating unit, a film having sprocket tooth perforations subject to mechanical variations, a sprocket wheel for feeding saidfilrn at uniform velocity past said sound translating unit comprising a driving member, means includingresilient members for causing accurate registration of the sprocket teeth and film perforations, and means in said driving member for normally supporting said sprocket teeth in equally spaced relation. a

3. In, combination, a sound translating unit, a film having sprocket tooth perforations subject to mechanical variations, a sprocket wheel for feeding saidfilm at uniform velocity past said sound translating unit including resilient members for causing accurate registrationof the sprocket teeth and film perforations, and means for normally supporting said sprocket teeth and resilient members including compressible damping members between'said resilient-members.

4. In combination, a sound translating unit, a film'having sprocket tooth perforations subject to mechanical variations, a sprocket wheel for feeding said film at uniform velocity past said sound translating unit, and means insaid sprocket wheel for causing accurate registration of the sprocket teeth with inaccurately spaced. film perforations including sprocket teeth with individual resilient members and a pliant cylinder having sections extending between said resilient members for damping the movements of the sprocket teeth when engaging and disengaging the film. v

'5. In combination, asound translating unit, a film having sprocket tooth perforations subject to mechanical variations, a sprocket wheel for feeding said film past the sound translating unit, so arranged that the spaced relation of the plurality of sprocket teeth'engaged with the film is governed by the spaced relation of vthe film perforations, said sprocket wheel comprising individual teeth with resilient members and compressible resistance members extending between said resilient members for damping the movement ofthe sprocket teeth. M '6, In combination, a sound translating unit, a film having sprocket tooth perforations subject to mechanical variations,a sprocket wheel for feeding said film past the sound translating unit so arranged-that the spaced relation of the'plurality of sprocket teeth engaged with the film is governed by the spaced relation of the film perforations to. prevent sound wave distortion, said sprocket. wheel comprising individual teeth with resilient stems having their outer sections encased in a compressible damping: member.

WALTER J. ALBERSHETM. 

